Alex Smith’s Status Still Unclear Against Bears

HALAS HALL (CBS) The Bears will be without starting quarterback Jay Cutler Monday in San Francisco, but it remains to be seen whether or not 49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith will give it a go.

Both quarterbacks suffered concussions in their respective games Sunday. Smith said earlier this week that he was feeling better, but the team has yet to say whether he’ll play.

“They go through the progress and the process of concussion progression and he’s going through that right now,” 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Friday while talking to Chicago reporters on a conference call.

If Smith can’t go, second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick will get the start.

“(He) definitely did some things that helped,” Harbaugh said about Kaepernick’s relief appearance Sunday in the 49ers’ tie against the Rams. “That’s the first time he’s ever gone into a game trailing, two minute drill at the end of the game, (and he) ends up taking the team down the field. Did a very nice job. So definitely some things that help his progress.”

Meanwhile, Harbaugh has had his own health issues this week, undergoing a minor procedure Thursday to repair an irregular heartbeat. Harbaugh said it went well and he’s already back to 100 percent.

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